You’ve probably heard this before. Book sales aren’t the only way authors can make money. Professional speaking can be very lucrative if you are good at it. But how do you go about getting gigs? Here are some ideas and resources worth checking out:

 

1. Determine your area(s) of expertise and focus on it or them exclusively. For example, if you’ve written a children’s book that helps kids learn how to read, contact schools and education associations that may be interested in hearing what you have to say. If your book is a memoir about overcoming addiction, you’ll want to focus on treatment centers, hospitals, clinics and high schools.

 

2. Network with other aspiring speakers and learn from them. A few associations worth checking out are PowerTalk Toastmasters (http://powertalk.toastmastersclubs.org/ and the ProSpeakers Alliance MeetUp group (http://www.meetup.com/Prospeakers-Alliance/)

 

3. Offer to speak for free as a way to market yourself. Good places to do this are at Chambers of Commerce meetings and Rotary Clubs. Often an appearance here will lead to paid speaking offers.

 

4. Join your local chapter of the National Speaker’s Association. (http://www.nsaspeaker.org/)

 

5. Seek training through an organization like the SpeakerBiz Institute LLC (http://www.speakerbiz.net)

RMA Publicity can assist in your pursuit of speaking opportunities by preparing marketing materials on your behalf, such as a biography or feature article highlighting your abilities and accomplishments. We can also research companies that may be interested in hearing you speak.